Joe Lilley – Proprietor of Little Joe’s Crafts in Penticton

Have you ever wondered where those fancy crib pegs and boards come from? Or from where the ideas for those pegs and boards come?  Well a few entrepreneurial older folk have found a way to meet the demand and have more than enough imagination to adjust to about any person’s requirements. Using skill, dexterity and not just a little bit of initiative they can change unrecognizable pieces of brass or aluminum into works of utilitarian ‘cribbage art’. One such creative individual is sixty-three year young Joe Lilley who arrived in Penticton from McKenzie, BC via Prince George in 2001. Retiring from a career in the wood pulp industry due to a medical condition this repatriated American immigrant wasn’t about to let idle time slide him into a life of boredom. His life in the pulp and paper industry changed drastically when struck down by serious kidney failure. Over a three-year period the requirement for regular dialysis and the poisons in his system took their toll. It was a challenge but a fortunate kidney transplant in 1996 provided the impetus to change the life, adjust the life-style and eventually a move to the clean fresh air of the South Okanagan. It was at a Cribbage Tournament sponsored by the American Cribbage Congress in Reno that the fledgling entrepreneur stood in awe at the plethora of specialized and custom-made cribbage boards and their decorative, meaningful peg sets. The light went on and a star was born. Little Joe saw that here was an opportunity just waiting for someone like?-well - why not him? He wasted no time and got right at it. He became a custom peg manufacturer in a small way and over the years has improved his craft to where he now feels that there is no request he can’t meet. He regularly receives requests for custom pegs and boards from across Canada and the States. Little Joe is prepared to create pegs and boards customized to just about any individual wants, needs, wishes and desires. Joe now finds himself occupied at his own leisurely pace in a time filling, satisfying hobby. And if you ask Joe it is just that! It isn’t work – its simply a pleasure manipulating his mediums into objects that give to so many so much pleasure of ownership. And, it does seem to be an art of one-upmanship in the cribbage competition world! Although the play in cribbage is the aim – a little intimidation and awe in the eyes of one’s opponents when moving a special set of ‘individualized custom made pegs’ may just give one a slight edge. Joe had never seen himself delving into the artsy-craftsy world of custom cribbage pegs. Is it that necessity is the mother of invention? Well so to is it that the catalyst to many a hobby and business enterprise is recognizing an opportunity and acting upon it. Joe saw this opportunity to make specialized pegs and boards as developing his own lifestyle and assisting with a means of survival. As with most men facing retirement Joe did not intend to be seen doing nothing but waiting to die. He was going to do something productive and if it meant the use of his hands and mind while being creative – he was going to do it! Little Joe’s retirement activity is a productive and prolific trade learned through practice. It seemed natural to turn to this medium as a retirement activity. Joe operates his small business to keep out of his wife’s way and to keep busy. Joe displays his wares as a member of the Penticton Leir House Artisans’ Association Market hosted Saturdays mornings on Main St (in conjunction with the Penticton Farmer’s Market). He will also take his sales kiosk to many of the markets and craft fairs throughout the valley and is at the many Cribbage Tournaments put on in the Valley’s service clubs. Drop in to see him at your local Artisan’s Market or contact Little Joe in Penticton at 493-5073.

 

< Prev		Next >